JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - Jack and Tana Despain, in part to help them heal, are starting a non-profit organization to assist victims of violent crimes.

Son Marc Despain was killed Aug. 24, 2011, in Jonesboro. Three men charged with the homicide are in prison, and Marc Despain's wife is awaiting trial on a capital murder charge.

"When Marc was murdered it was such a shock to us," Tana said.

Every week the couple visited the Criminal Investigation Division of the Jonesboro Police Department, and authorities always listened to them and encouraged them. When the Despains learned they could talk to the prosecutor, they made regular visits to that office too, Tana said.

The couple visits daily the cemetery where their son is buried. They go so often that Jack became tired of saying, "Let's go to the cemetery," and began saying, "Let's go to Marc's place."

Eventually, Tana knew she needed to talk to a professional therapist about the crime, her mental health, and her and her husband's future.

"We're country folks," she said. "This was always kind of intimidating. We didn't know how to deal with it."

The interactions with the police, prosecutor's office and the therapist, combined with the couple's confusion and at times frustration, led Tana to begin thinking about how grieving family members uneducated about the legal process deal with violent crimes against someone close to them.

The Despains realized there were others like them in Arkansas and around the country.

They established Marc's Place, a resource and information center for victims of violent crimes. The couple, both real estate appraisers, don't have experience, but made the decision to try to help other crime victims having trouble dealing with their situations.

At first, Tana wanted to focus on Craighead County victims of violent crimes. As the idea started to take shape, she received calls from people in Paragould and Batesville who were interested in assistance. In one instance, a police officer asked Tana to talk to the family of a murder victim, and in another case a prosecutor asked her to speak to a woman whose daughter was murdered.

They wanted to wait to start the organization until their daughter-in-law was tried for the crime, but once word got out, they immediately began to get calls for assistance, Tana said. Now they're getting so many ideas they want to add to the initiative that they said it's difficult to imagine how it all will come together. Tana said she hopes the Lord will guide her through the endeavor.

"The possibilities are endless," Jack said. "And the needs are endless."

Tana envisions assistance in the form of talking to people in similar situations, telling her story to civic groups, church congregations and other organizations, reaching out to other people in need, and giving a hug or a hand to someone else. They want to serve battered women in shelters, go to court with someone who needs a confidant or fill whatever needs others have.

Jack sees needs that are more physical: funds for immediate accommodations, food, clothing, housing, transportation to court and the like.

Tana emphasized they want to help victims of any violent crimes, including homicide, rape and domestic violence.

"I knew last year this is what I wanted to do. We're stepping out on faith," Tana said. "We've got lots of ideas."

One of the fundraising events they are planning is an auction. Marc's favorite song was by Aaron Tippin, and it has the line: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Already, Tippin's manager has agreed to send an auction item that belonged to Tippin. They also are expecting a donation from Loretta Lynn.

They want a booth at the fair and maybe auction an item there. Jack said Marc loved the game of golf, and they might establish a fundraiser associated with golf. Jack is an old car buff, and he would like to see a car show or drag racing event as a fundraiser, he said.

They also are working to get the 501(c)3 status for the organization and working on a mission statement and guidelines, Jack said.

"It's been 17 months. It's time to quit talking and to take action," Jack said. "I knew we wanted to do something. At the time, we were grieving and didn't have the mindset to sit down and do something."

"We will not let Marc be forgotten," Tana added. "This will be an honor to him and help us get through the process easier."

Tana said she is so dedicated to the cause that she hopes to be able to one day work full-time for Marc's Place. She is beginning to work on pamphlets she can distribute to churches, police departments and organizations. She has scheduled a mission trip to Newtown, Conn., where she plans to console families that are victims of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.

In addition to helping other victims of violent crime, the Despains hope their effort will help them heal.

"It helps me to know I've helped someone else," Tana said. "Even though Marc's loss has devastated us, their loss is also devastating. I think I could hold someone's hand and that would help me and them. I can hold Marc in my heart and still help someone else."

"It definitely will help with the healing process," Jack said. "I hope eventually it will get me through the anger I have toward the people that took his life. Helping people will help me pull through this. I've been hateful, vengeful. I want immediate action from the law and the courts. I've learned that time does help heal and the process is important. It can help me heal even further, and I can tell people how I feel."